by Jesse Townsley

Sarah Patterson says that she wanted her recently released CD White Tara to be "a meeting between Tibetan and Western Buddhist practice." It is both exquisitely beautiful and a breakthrough piece of work.

Drawing inspiration from a series of meditations, chanting sessions, and improvisation, Sarah and her fellow musicians gave some of the Tibetan mantras and prayers on the album new melodies and added harmony and counterpoint in places. The result is something very much alive.

Sarah's pure, clear, magical voice is front and center, sometimes by itself, sometimes with some particularly fine cello and viola work, some "light and masterly" tabla, a bit of flute and tambura—there's even an Irish prayer from fellow vocalist Eileen O'Sullivan. This approach may find some resistance among traditionalists, but for those open to cultural and musical fusion, White Tara is a real gem. The love of Tara radiates wherever this music is playing.

To learn more, see White Tara--CD.